Showing how Families Matter

Showing how Families Matter

9 July 2025

A DOWNPATRICK couple are reflecting on their work with a pioneering service which offers a ‘home from home’ to people with learning disabilities as it celebrates its 30th birthday.

Families Matter Shared Lives – operated by leading charity Positive Futures – offers short or long-term breaks with volunteer carers to people with a learning disability, acquired brain injury or autism and was the first service of its kind in Northern Ireland when it started in 1995.

Briege and Dermot Mullan from Downpatrick have been supporting Anthony – who has taken on their surname – in their home for a remarkable 42 years, ever since they offered him a foster place when he was just one year old.

When he became an adult, they were approved as Shared Lives carers by Positive Futures. 

They also support his sister Julie, who shares their surname too.

“Anthony and Julie are a part of our family,” Briege said.

“We don’t treat them any differently and we wouldn’t be without them. As a Shared Lives carer, advice and support is just a phone call away.” 

At a 30th anniversary event in Belfast’s Lansdowne Hotel, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt paid tribute to the work of the service.  

“I fully acknowledge the important role Positive Futures, and other organisations, have played in the introduction and development of the Shared Lives model in Northern Ireland and they continue to be a key delivery partner across Health and Social Care,” he said. 

“I greatly value the considerable impact Shared Lives has made through positively raising the profile and presence of people with learning disabilities across Northern Ireland whilst enhancing their lives and empowering them to have autonomy over their own future.

“What Positive Futures and others achieve is entirely consistent with my vision of delivering health and social care as close to people’s homes as possible,” he added.

Families Matter Shared Lives Service manager, Julie McDowell said Shared Lives carers are “ordinary people who play an extraordinary role in transforming the lives and achieving the dreams of others”.

“It’s a unique person-centred and cost-effective service,” she added.

Dr Agnes Lunny, Positive Futures Chief Executive, said that, thanks to Families Matter Shared Lives, people were “living their best lives and participating in community activities”.

“In most cases, the service gives families a break from their caring responsibilities, enabling them to live fuller lives, too,” she added.